South Central Idaho Guidebook by Travelers Tonic
City/town information
Filer, Idaho, population 2,804, is located 7 miles west of Twin Falls, Idaho on the old classic Highway 30. It is home to the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds and the region's largest fair, over Memorial Day weekend. Filer is a cozy bedroom community yet has all the amenities you might need including grocery store, liquor, hardware, fuel/convenience stores, Family Dollar, Subway and Pizza Hut.
Filer has a community swimming pool and park, and is twenty minutes from several natural hot spring resorts and the scenic Thousand Springs area. It is ten minutes from the the Snake River Canyon and Perrine Bridge, including cycling, hiking/walking, kayaking and boating, and even base-jumping opportunities.
Jackpot, Nevada is just 45 miles away and provides, gambling, entertainment and delicious buffets.
Filer
Filer, Idaho, population 2,804, is located 7 miles west of Twin Falls, Idaho on the old classic Highway 30. It is home to the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds and the region's largest fair, over Memorial Day weekend. Filer is a cozy bedroom community yet has all the amenities you might need including grocery store, liquor, hardware, fuel/convenience stores, Family Dollar, Subway and Pizza Hut.
Filer has a community swimming pool and park, and is twenty minutes from several natural hot spring resorts and the scenic Thousand Springs area. It is ten minutes from the the Snake River Canyon and Perrine Bridge, including cycling, hiking/walking, kayaking and boating, and even base-jumping opportunities.
Jackpot, Nevada is just 45 miles away and provides, gambling, entertainment and delicious buffets.
Brew Pubs
Best urban feel, great food choices, and often bring in music or comedy, and have special events. Locally brewed beer with regional selections as well.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Koto Brewing Co.
156 Main Ave W Best urban feel, great food choices, and often bring in music or comedy, and have special events. Locally brewed beer with regional selections as well.
Has the feel of a cross between brew pub and fine dining. Good vibe and crafted cocktails in addition to locally brewed beer.
36 personas locales recomiendan
Milner's Gate - Idaho Craft Brewery
205 Shoshone St NHas the feel of a cross between brew pub and fine dining. Good vibe and crafted cocktails in addition to locally brewed beer.
Best sports bar of the local pubs in Twin Falls. Lots of regional beer choice, the best selection of regional brews. Cocktails, TVs everywhere, cozy and lively, and very yummy food.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Anchor Bistro & Sports Bar
334 Blue Lakes Blvd NBest sports bar of the local pubs in Twin Falls. Lots of regional beer choice, the best selection of regional brews. Cocktails, TVs everywhere, cozy and lively, and very yummy food.
Fine Dining
Jakers Bar and Grill
1598 Blue Lakes Blvd NBest appetizers and dinner entrees.
Elevation 486
195 River Vista PlBest views, really good food.
Other Dining
A wild variety of food choices and located in Twin Falls' historic warehouse district. First food hall to open in Idaho. Includes a full bar and juice bar. Concert venue out back on the patio, with some lawn games.
15 personas locales recomiendan
2nd South Market
210 2nd Ave SA wild variety of food choices and located in Twin Falls' historic warehouse district. First food hall to open in Idaho. Includes a full bar and juice bar. Concert venue out back on the patio, with some lawn games.
Locally owned by the owner of Koto Brewing, hands down the best french fries in Twin Falls. Relaxed feel, counter ordering with service, bottled and tap beers and wine. Occasional Friday night musical entertainment from 6-8 pm.
19 personas locales recomiendan
The Twin Falls Sandwich Company
128 Main Ave NLocally owned by the owner of Koto Brewing, hands down the best french fries in Twin Falls. Relaxed feel, counter ordering with service, bottled and tap beers and wine. Occasional Friday night musical entertainment from 6-8 pm.
Ma and pa owned brick oven gourmet pizzas. Unique architectural features by local artisans. The perfect size and feel--a cozy place. https://www.facebook.com/slicetwinfalls/
Slice
132 Main Ave WMa and pa owned brick oven gourmet pizzas. Unique architectural features by local artisans. The perfect size and feel--a cozy place. https://www.facebook.com/slicetwinfalls/
A great sports bar with award winning burgers, plenty of draft taps, and superb homemade food.
12 personas locales recomiendan
Scooter's Chillin' -N- Grillin'
137 2nd Ave EA great sports bar with award winning burgers, plenty of draft taps, and superb homemade food.
Texas Roadhouse
Relatively new to Twin Falls. Well-rated franchise dining.
Breakfast/Lunch
Locally owned greasy spoon. You will not be disappointed if you order the "Buffalo Chips". Buffalo Cafe features home made jams, which you may also purchase to take with you.
20 personas locales recomiendan
Buffalo Cafe
218 4th Ave WLocally owned greasy spoon. You will not be disappointed if you order the "Buffalo Chips". Buffalo Cafe features home made jams, which you may also purchase to take with you.
Twin Beans Coffee Company
144 Main Ave. SKnown for their savory and dessert crepes.
Known for their southern-style selections, and have a huge variety of food options. Very tasty. A bit weird that's it's in an old Pizza Hut that didn't get updated so well.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Abracadabra's Breakfast & Bistro
1099 Blue Lakes Blvd NKnown for their southern-style selections, and have a huge variety of food options. Very tasty. A bit weird that's it's in an old Pizza Hut that didn't get updated so well.
Old time favorites in a down-home environment.
https://www.facebook.com/Norms-Cafe-130438890320803/
11 personas locales recomiendan
Norm's Cafe
803 Main Avenue NorthOld time favorites in a down-home environment.
https://www.facebook.com/Norms-Cafe-130438890320803/
Mexican Food
If you like Mexican food and come stay at one of our Airbnbs, you absolutely must order from El Cazador, seven minutes west of Filer (opposite direction as Twin Falls). You can't go wrong with any of their burritos, and their pricing is reasonable. You might even be mad that you don't live here to get more.
Order burritos for pickup and enjoy them at the Airbnb!
https://www.facebook.com/ElCazadorMexicanRestaurant/
El Cazador | Mexican Restaurant
113 Broadway Ave SIf you like Mexican food and come stay at one of our Airbnbs, you absolutely must order from El Cazador, seven minutes west of Filer (opposite direction as Twin Falls). You can't go wrong with any of their burritos, and their pricing is reasonable. You might even be mad that you don't live here to get more.
Order burritos for pickup and enjoy them at the Airbnb!
https://www.facebook.com/ElCazadorMexicanRestaurant/
A 30 minute drive from Filer, but this is the overall best Mexican food in the area. "Seafood and Mexican Cuisine" and unique offerings and flavors.
https://www.eltapatioidaho.com/
El Tapatio
88 South Idaho StreetA 30 minute drive from Filer, but this is the overall best Mexican food in the area. "Seafood and Mexican Cuisine" and unique offerings and flavors.
https://www.eltapatioidaho.com/
Our favorite Mexican food in Twin Falls. Festive environment, great margaritas, and yummy salsa/beans/chips for starters.
13 personas locales recomiendan
La Fiesta | Mexican Restaurant
1288 Blue Lakes Blvd NOur favorite Mexican food in Twin Falls. Festive environment, great margaritas, and yummy salsa/beans/chips for starters.
Recreation
This is only a few blocks east of our Idaho Street Airbnb, less than a block east of our Yakima Street Airbnb. At the City Park. It's a good inexpensive option for family summertime if the kiddos enjoy swimming. Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/filercitypool/
Filer Swimming Pool
610 Park AvenueThis is only a few blocks east of our Idaho Street Airbnb, less than a block east of our Yakima Street Airbnb. At the City Park. It's a good inexpensive option for family summertime if the kiddos enjoy swimming. Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/filercitypool/
KAYAKING. The most popular area for kayaking is Centennial Waterfront Park, and the kayak from there to under the Perrine Bridge (to watch base jumpers from below) and then on to Pillar Falls. About 1 hour round trip to bridge, 2-3 hours round trip to the Pillar Falls, including some time to get out and play on the rocks. You kayak upriver, return downriver.
Rentals during the season are on-site: https://awoladventuresports.com/
Call ahead to reserve.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Parque del Centenario en la costa
Canyon Springs RoadKAYAKING. The most popular area for kayaking is Centennial Waterfront Park, and the kayak from there to under the Perrine Bridge (to watch base jumpers from below) and then on to Pillar Falls. About 1 hour round trip to bridge, 2-3 hours round trip to the Pillar Falls, including some time to get out and play on the rocks. You kayak upriver, return downriver.
Rentals during the season are on-site: https://awoladventuresports.com/
Call ahead to reserve.
KAYAKING. Another place to put in for a kayaking adventure. Access the river from the park ($5 per car fee) and kayak upstream past some riverside homes and up to where the river narrows.
HIKING. Shoshone Falls Park is also simply a nice park to visit or picnic at, as Shoshone Falls are there for the viewing, and Dierkes Lake is just up the road, with a hiking trail around the lake (including river views from the canyon rim) with the option of trail spurs to some hidden lakes.
101 personas locales recomiendan
Cataratas Shoshone
4155 Shoshone Falls GradeKAYAKING. Another place to put in for a kayaking adventure. Access the river from the park ($5 per car fee) and kayak upstream past some riverside homes and up to where the river narrows.
HIKING. Shoshone Falls Park is also simply a nice park to visit or picnic at, as Shoshone Falls are there for the viewing, and Dierkes Lake is just up the road, with a hiking trail around the lake (including river views from the canyon rim) with the option of trail spurs to some hidden lakes.
KAYAKING. Put in at Banbury Hot Springs to Kayak downriver to Blue Heart Springs. It's about a 1.5-hr. round trip paddle but you'll want to hang out at the spring a while and enjoy the fun and partying as boats and other kayakers converge on the oasis of cold, clear waters bubbling up, surrounded by trees and basalt boulders. Jump in and swim if you can handle it!
Kayak rentals on site with reservation, or get them in Twin Falls ahead of time: AWOL or River & Adventure Toys.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Blue Heart Springs
KAYAKING. Put in at Banbury Hot Springs to Kayak downriver to Blue Heart Springs. It's about a 1.5-hr. round trip paddle but you'll want to hang out at the spring a while and enjoy the fun and partying as boats and other kayakers converge on the oasis of cold, clear waters bubbling up, surrounded by trees and basalt boulders. Jump in and swim if you can handle it!
Kayak rentals on site with reservation, or get them in Twin Falls ahead of time: AWOL or River & Adventure Toys.
KAYAKING. Although the Balanced Rock natural feature is certainly a sightseeing destination, just before it you'll find Balanced Rock Park Campground, with Salmon Falls Creek running through it. This is a gem of a little gentle kayak trip, paddling up the narrow stream's passage in a strikingly beautiful canyon. You can make it roughly a mile upstream and then just enjoy a quick easy float back, steering around the overhanging trees and finding a nice line. Bring insect spray, though!
28 personas locales recomiendan
Balanced Rock Park
Balanced Rock RoadKAYAKING. Although the Balanced Rock natural feature is certainly a sightseeing destination, just before it you'll find Balanced Rock Park Campground, with Salmon Falls Creek running through it. This is a gem of a little gentle kayak trip, paddling up the narrow stream's passage in a strikingly beautiful canyon. You can make it roughly a mile upstream and then just enjoy a quick easy float back, steering around the overhanging trees and finding a nice line. Bring insect spray, though!
KAYAKING. Put in at Thousand Springs Resort near Hagerman (pay the parking fee), and kayak directly across the river, then circle the historic island clockwise. You'll kayak upstream when you hit the crystal clear spring waters, get to the power plant and bridge area, and then get shot back out downstream to the river and see the striking transition where the spring waters and the Snake river don't easily mix. Then back across the river to Thousand Springs Resort. It's like kayaking up and over a little hill in a way. Strange!
Get out near the bridge to have a little visit and self-guided tour of the historic island and its buildings.
This is our #1 recommended kayaking outing. It's a loop (not just out-and-back), super scenic, great place to hang out midway...if you came to the area to kayak, do this one.
Rent kayaks in Twin Falls through AWOL or River & Adventure Toys, or check with Thousand Springs Resort or Banbury Hot Springs to see if they have rentals available.
20 personas locales recomiendan
Ritter Island State Park
1205 Thousand Springs GradeKAYAKING. Put in at Thousand Springs Resort near Hagerman (pay the parking fee), and kayak directly across the river, then circle the historic island clockwise. You'll kayak upstream when you hit the crystal clear spring waters, get to the power plant and bridge area, and then get shot back out downstream to the river and see the striking transition where the spring waters and the Snake river don't easily mix. Then back across the river to Thousand Springs Resort. It's like kayaking up and over a little hill in a way. Strange!
Get out near the bridge to have a little visit and self-guided tour of the historic island and its buildings.
This is our #1 recommended kayaking outing. It's a loop (not just out-and-back), super scenic, great place to hang out midway...if you came to the area to kayak, do this one.
Rent kayaks in Twin Falls through AWOL or River & Adventure Toys, or check with Thousand Springs Resort or Banbury Hot Springs to see if they have rentals available.
DISC GOLF. Lake Walcott wouldn't be our recommendation for Kayaking (too windy and wide open) but amidst the huge trees of the park itself is a wonderful disc golf course. And great picnicking and cool old basalt rock walls. It's about an hour drive from Filer.
For other disc golf venues we'd also recommend Rock Creek Park in Twin Falls, the College of Southern Idaho, and the little 9 hole course in Buhl's City Park.
Get the directions and course layouts at pdga.com and also check out facebook.com/discgolfidaho if you need to buy or rent discs (store is located near the CSI campus).
9 personas locales recomiendan
Lake Walcott State Park
959 Minidoka Dam RdDISC GOLF. Lake Walcott wouldn't be our recommendation for Kayaking (too windy and wide open) but amidst the huge trees of the park itself is a wonderful disc golf course. And great picnicking and cool old basalt rock walls. It's about an hour drive from Filer.
For other disc golf venues we'd also recommend Rock Creek Park in Twin Falls, the College of Southern Idaho, and the little 9 hole course in Buhl's City Park.
Get the directions and course layouts at pdga.com and also check out facebook.com/discgolfidaho if you need to buy or rent discs (store is located near the CSI campus).
Excellent, well-maintained venue for mini golf. North side of Twin Falls near shopping, coffee shops, fast food, restaurants, Twin Falls Visitor Center. puttersminigolf.com
Putter's Mini Golf
1821 Canyon Crest DrExcellent, well-maintained venue for mini golf. North side of Twin Falls near shopping, coffee shops, fast food, restaurants, Twin Falls Visitor Center. puttersminigolf.com
West of Filer, between Buhl and Hagerman. Two locations, same ownership. Although Banbury is actually next to the Snake River, Miracle is the nicer facility; Banbury is more kid friendly. And down the road, Thousand Springs Resort (https://1000springsresort.com/) has the most family fun swimming-pool/diving/slides situation, not so much for the hot springs soaking, but the pool is nice and warm.
Thousand Springs is the put-in for the Ritter Island kayak adventure.
Banbury is the put-in location for kayaking to Blue Heart Spring.
Both hot springs facilities are closed on Sundays.
https://www.miraclehotspring.com/
55 personas locales recomiendan
Miracle & Banbury HotSprings
19073 US-30West of Filer, between Buhl and Hagerman. Two locations, same ownership. Although Banbury is actually next to the Snake River, Miracle is the nicer facility; Banbury is more kid friendly. And down the road, Thousand Springs Resort (https://1000springsresort.com/) has the most family fun swimming-pool/diving/slides situation, not so much for the hot springs soaking, but the pool is nice and warm.
Thousand Springs is the put-in for the Ritter Island kayak adventure.
Banbury is the put-in location for kayaking to Blue Heart Spring.
Both hot springs facilities are closed on Sundays.
https://www.miraclehotspring.com/
Twin Falls Golf Course
545 Grandview DrGOLF. 18 holes $24 http://twinfallsgc.com/
GOLF. 18 holes $38 http://www.canyonspringsgolf.com/
11 personas locales recomiendan
Canyon Springs Golf Course
199 Canyon Springs RdGOLF. 18 holes $38 http://www.canyonspringsgolf.com/
GOLF. Close to Filer, owned by our friends. 9-hole course with driving range. $18 weekends, $15 weekdays, $10 Wednesday special. https://www.idahospebbleponds.com/
Idaho's Pebble Ponds Golf Course
4035 North 2300 East RoadGOLF. Close to Filer, owned by our friends. 9-hole course with driving range. $18 weekends, $15 weekdays, $10 Wednesday special. https://www.idahospebbleponds.com/
FISHING. Close to the Airbnb. Local fishing ponds, stocked with trout by Idaho Fish & Game. If you need an Idaho fishing license, you may get one at the Oasis Stop 'N Go station by the M&W Markets.
Filer Fishing Ponds
4376 North 2300 EastFISHING. Close to the Airbnb. Local fishing ponds, stocked with trout by Idaho Fish & Game. If you need an Idaho fishing license, you may get one at the Oasis Stop 'N Go station by the M&W Markets.
FISHING. KAYAKING. Accessed via the Shoshone Falls Park road. ($5 per vehicle entry fee. Cash or credit card).
Dierkes Lake
FISHING. KAYAKING. Accessed via the Shoshone Falls Park road. ($5 per vehicle entry fee. Cash or credit card).
HIKING. This grade was previously a 4WD road access, but after water damage it was converted into a lovely single track trail, about a 1 mile hike down to the Snake River, and offshoot trails to view a waterfall up close.
To get there, cross the Perrine Bridge going north, take a left at Golf Course Road, and follow it until the stop sign just after the golf course. Turn left and drive to the rim where there is parking.
Yingst Road
Yingst RoadHIKING. This grade was previously a 4WD road access, but after water damage it was converted into a lovely single track trail, about a 1 mile hike down to the Snake River, and offshoot trails to view a waterfall up close.
To get there, cross the Perrine Bridge going north, take a left at Golf Course Road, and follow it until the stop sign just after the golf course. Turn left and drive to the rim where there is parking.
HIKING. FISHING. Scott's Pond is halfway down the grade on Scott's Pond Access Road. It's a short but very steep hike on a 4WD dirt road. There is a small power plant down at the bottom next to the river.
To get there, search Scotts Pond Road on your Maps (no apostrophe). It is just a few miles drive W, N, W, and S from the Yingst Grade also mentioned in this guidebook.
Scotts Ponds Road
Scotts Ponds RoadHIKING. FISHING. Scott's Pond is halfway down the grade on Scott's Pond Access Road. It's a short but very steep hike on a 4WD dirt road. There is a small power plant down at the bottom next to the river.
To get there, search Scotts Pond Road on your Maps (no apostrophe). It is just a few miles drive W, N, W, and S from the Yingst Grade also mentioned in this guidebook.
CLIMBING. YOGA. FITNESS. Youth and adult climbing and climbing classes, as well as yoga and fitness. A new facility in old town / downtown Twin Falls.
gemstoneclimbing.rocks
9 personas locales recomiendan
Gemstone Climbing Center
135 5th Ave SCLIMBING. YOGA. FITNESS. Youth and adult climbing and climbing classes, as well as yoga and fitness. A new facility in old town / downtown Twin Falls.
gemstoneclimbing.rocks